Restorative practices allows for the learning of empathy.
When in a school environment not every student will have the same level of understanding empathy. Who teaches empathy anyway? Parents, teachers, peers?
One of the pressures that affects our students and schools today is the fact that our parents are busier than ever. They work more and teach our kids less. I think this is why our students need more emotional instruction from schools. Hence, today’s classroom evolution.
An excerpt from Bully describes empathy this way:
“To walk a mile in someone else’s shoes…”
Empathy is another important skill in building relationships. At its basic form, empathy is the ability to feel what another person is feeling. In order to do this well, you need to pay attention to your own emotions.
Without experiencing our own feelings, we will be unable to empathize with another person’s feelings. Find your feelings with your heart, not your mind. Practice Enso when listening to yourself.
Empathy takes time and understanding. It is certainly a practice–it continues for a lifetime.
We can teach this with restorative practices. With a restorative mindset, we can model and take the time to help students feel their life.
to building relationships-
Matt K.
